The Twin City Thunder started the USPHL Winter Showcase at the New England Sports Center off with a bang.
Behind Tyler Healey’s four goals, the Thunder defeated the Boston Advantage 7-5 in a National Collegiate Development Conference game Saturday in Marlborough, Massachusetts.
Nathan Chickering, who committed to the University of New England earlier Saturday, had a goal and three assists in the win. He now has 11 goals and 13 assists in 24 games.
The Advantage (11-14-2, 24 points) had an early power play in the first period and Arik Altman beat Thunder goalie Dane Couture (39 saves) for his fifth goal of the season.
Healey tied the game at 1-1 just past the five-minute mark in the opening period on the power play. Three minutes later, he put the Thunder (14-11-1, 29 points) up 2-1 with an even-strength goal.
Linemate Chickering had an assist on both goals.
Tristan Rand added to the Thunder’s lead by scoring his team-leading 12th goal of the year to make it 3-1.
Healey completed the hat trick midway through the second period with another power-play goal to extend the lead to 4-1. Defensemen Blake Tierney and Lucas Doran had the assists.
Jonny Hammel started the Advantage comeback by scoring his 10th goal of the year with 7:22 remaining in the second period to cut the deficit to 4-2.
Johnny Hagan scored nearly three minutes later to get the Advantage within one goal.
Yahor Ramanau scored with 3:33 remaining in the second period to tie the game at 4-4. Former Nordiques player Manny Sanchez recorded his 19th assist of the season.
Twin City took a 5-4 lead into the second intermission when defenseman Ben Monson scored a power-play goal. Defensive partner Lazarus Kaebel had an assist, along with Healey.
Healey scored again midway through the third period to extend the Thunder’s lead to 6-4. Doran and Chickering had the assists.
The Advantage kept the pressure on when Jared Lambright scored with under five minutes remaining in the game.
Chickering added the insurance with two minutes remaining to play.
Connor Bradford made 54 saves in the loss.
The Thunder take on the Islanders Hockey Club on Sunday at 9:40 a.m. at the Winter Showcase and then the Utica Jr. Comets on Monday at 10:10 a.m.
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